The Lion King 3D's 'surprise' box-office success: 4 theories

Though the 3D trend has seemingly wilted, Simba roars again at American cineplexes — raking in nearly $30 million for his Disney bosses

"The Lion King"
(Image credit: Facbook/The Lion King)

The film that dominated this weekend's box office isn't a blockbuster new release — but a hand-drawn animated film first released in 1994. The Lion King's 3D re-release (only the second time the film's returned to the big screen) more than doubled studio estimates for its weekend gross, amassing $29.3 million. With most commentators agreeing that 3D is dead and hand-drawn animation is a has-been style, what's behind the film's surprising success? Here, four theories:

1. A new generation jumped at the chance to see The Lion King

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